An extremist group which wants to turn Pakistan into a Taliban state is seeking revenge for the death of a leader killed in a US drone attack last year

Around 10 militants dressed as security staff and carrying bags full of grenades and ammo blasted their way in, planning to take over planes and blow them up.

Police and guards battled them into a hangar in a five-hour gun and bomb fight that sparked a huge fire as terrified passengers were trapped in jets on the tarmac.

Of the 28 left dead after the carnage in Pakistan’s biggest city on Sunday night, 18 were said to be airport staff and the other 10 were the militants.

Extremist group Shahidullah Shahid, which wants to turn Pakistan into a Taliban state, said it launched the attack in revenge for the death of leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone attack last year.

Getty

Horror: Pakistani policemen move an injured colleague

After the onslaught, a spokesman for the group ranted: “This is a message to the Pakistan government that we are still alive to react to the killings of innocent people in bomb attacks on their villages.